Recycling system and carrying apparatus
A recycling system and carrying apparatus to allow individuals to carry recycling containers and the like. The carrying apparatus includes at least one support arm adapted to engage a support such that the carrying apparatus hangs therefrom, and at least one carrying arm operably connected to the at least one support arm. The carrying arm is adapted to secure an item to be carried by the carrying apparatus. The at least one carrying arm is adapted to pivot relative to the at least one support arm.
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/086,545 filed on Aug. 6, 2008.
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the field of recycling. In particular, the invention relates to a recycling system and carrying apparatus to allow individuals to carry recycling containers and the like.
Over the years, recycling has become a very important function in the battle against pollution. At the heart of recycling programs is the dependency on individuals to separate recyclable items from non-recyclable items so that those items are not disposed of in a garbage dump. As a result, the recyclable items are sent to a recycling facility for processing into new recyclable items, such as water bottles.
In an effort to promote recycling, cities and their waste disposal counterparts are providing recycling bins or containers to residents. These bins are provided to encourage the residents to separate the recyclable items from the non-recyclable items. The recyclable items are placed in the recycling bins so that the waste disposal company knows that the items in the bin are to be processed in a recycling facility instead of a garbage dump.
Unfortunately, these recycling bins can become quite heavy and hard to move due to the fact that the bins must be carried. As a result, individuals may not fully utilize the recycling bins due to the weight or not use the bins at all. Further, those residents willing to lift the heavy bins subject themselves to injury due to the awkward carrying position and the weight of the bins.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, there is a need for a recycling system and carrying apparatus that encourages individuals to recycle and allows them to safely lift or carry recycling bins.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a carrying apparatus includes at least one support arm adapted to engage a support such that the carrying apparatus hangs therefrom, and at least one carrying arm operably connected to the at least one support arm and adapted to secure an item to be carried by the carrying apparatus, the at least one carrying arm being adapted to pivot relative to the at least one support arm.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a carrying apparatus includes a support platform adapted to engage a support such that the support platform hangs therefrom, and at least one receiver connected to the support platform and adapted to secure an item to be carried by the carrying apparatus.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a recycling system includes a garbage container, a recycling bin for containing recycled matter, and a carrying apparatus connected to the garbage container. The carrying apparatus includes at least one carrying arm adapted to secure the recycling bin thereto, thereby interconnecting the garbage container and recycling bin to allow a user to carry the recycling bin by moving the garbage container.
The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:
Referring now specifically to the drawings, a recycling system according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
Referring to
The support arms 20 and 21 support or allow the carrying apparatus 11 to hang from a support such as a garbage container 26, as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
In another embodiment, shown in
Referring to
The carrying arms 322 and 323 are pivotally connected to the vertical supports 367 and 368 by hinges 376 and 377. Supports 378 and 379 are positioned below the hinges 376 and 377 and for interaction with the carrying arms 322, 323 and the vertical supports 367 and 368 to support the arms 322 and 323 and prevent damaging of the hinges 376 and 377.
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Carrying arms 926 and 927 are pivotally connected to support arms 911 and 912, respectively, and are moveable between a storage position and a use position. Sockets 928 and 929 are positioned on ends 930 and 931 of the carrying arms 926 and 927, respectively. The sockets 930 and 931 are adapted to receive balls 932 and 933 of receivers 936 and 937 to form a ball and socket connection which allows the receivers 936 and 937 to pivot in the sockets 930 and 931. A support strap 938 interconnects the receivers 936 and 937 and provides additional support for carrying a load.
As shown in
While the following is described with respect to a garbage container, it should be appreciated that the carrying apparatus may be used with other types of supports. Referring to
Once the carrying apparatus is secured to the garbage container 950, the carrying arms 926 and 927 are positioned in the use position. As a result, the receivers 936 and 937 will rotate to a use position. Once the receivers 936, 937 and carrying arms 926, 927 are in the use position, a container, such as a recycling bin 952 may be placed between the receivers 936 and 937 such that the receivers grasp the bin 952 and support it. The strap 938 goes under the bin 952 and provides additional support. The strap 952 may be adjusted to fit containers of various sizes. With the recycle bin secured to the carrying apparatus 900, a user can then wheel the garbage container 950 and recycle bin 952 out to the curb for pick up. It should be appreciated that the receivers 936 and 937 may be used to support various types of containers or items, such as buckets and milk jugs. It should also be appreciated that the receivers 936 and 937 may be used separately or in conjunction with each other.
A recycling system and carrying apparatus is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.
Claims
1. A carrying apparatus, comprising:
- (a) first and second support arms adapted to engage a support such that the carrying apparatus hangs therefrom, each of the first and second support arms including a hook-type end positioned on a first end of the support arm and a base pad positioned on a second end of the support arm;
- (b) a first carrying arm pivotally connected to the first support arm and a second carrying arm pivotally connected to the second support arm, wherein the first and second carrying arms are pivotally connected to the first and second support arms at a position between the first and second ends;
- (c) a first socket connected to a free end of the first carrying arm and a second socket connected to a free end of the second carrying arm;
- (d) a first receiver having a ball for being received in the first socket and a claw-type end for securing and carrying an item and a second receiver having a ball for being received in the second socket and a claw-type end for securing and carrying an item, wherein the ball of the first receiver is freely moveable with respect to the first socket to allow the first receiver to move freely and the ball of the second receiver is freely moveable with respect to the second socket to allow the second receiver to move freely.
2. A carrying apparatus, comprising:
- (a) a support platform adapted to engage a support such that the support platform hangs therefrom, the support platform having first and second support arms, each of the first and second support arms having a hook-type end positioned on a first end of the support arm to allow the support platform to hang from the support;
- (b) a first carrying arm connected to the first support arm and having a receiver connected to a free end of the first carrying arm and a second carrying arm connected to the second support arm and having a receiver connected to a free end of the second carrying arm to secure an item to be carried by the carrying apparatus;and
- (c) wherein the receivers are connected to the free ends of the first and second carrying arms by a ball and socket connection to allow the receivers to freely move with respect to the first and second carrying arms.
3. The carrying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first and second support arms are interconnected by first and second cross-members to allow the support platform to move between a storage position and a use position, wherein a first end of the first and second cross-members is pivotally connected to respective first ends of the first and second support members and a second end of the first and second cross-members is pivotally connected to respective sliding mechanisms adapted to slide along the first and second support members to allow the support platform to move between the storage and use position.
4. The carrying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first and second carrying arms are pivotally connected to the first and second support arms at a position between first and second ends of the first and second support arms such that when the first and second carrying arms are moved to a storage position, the first and second support arms do not extend past the first end of the first and second support arms.
5. The carrying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the socket of the ball and socket connection is connected to the free ends of the first and second carrying arms.
6. The carrying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the receiver includes the ball of the ball and socket connection and a claw-like end for securing an item for carrying.
7. The carrying apparatus according to claim 6, further including a support strap interconnecting the claw-type ends of the first and second carrying arms.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Aug 6, 2009
Date of Patent: Aug 14, 2012
Patent Publication Number: 20100032439
Inventor: Matthew P. Kennedy (Charlotte, NC)
Primary Examiner: Kimberly Wood
Attorney: Trego, Hines & Ladenheim, PLLC
Application Number: 12/536,581
International Classification: F16B 45/00 (20060101);